A disturbing child neglect case from Oklahoma City has shocked many after police reportedly found two toddlers outside in freezing weather without proper clothing. The children were alone in the street and exposed to dangerously low temperatures. Authorities say the parents have now been arrested and charged after officers responded to a welfare check request from the area.
Police discover toddlers outside in freezing weather
The incident happened on February 20 in Oklahoma City. According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers were sent to a home after receiving a welfare check request. A welfare check is usually requested when someone fears that a person or child might be in danger.
When officers arrived at the location, they did not even need to enter the home to notice something was wrong. Police reportedly saw two toddlers outside in the street by themselves.
The children were not dressed properly for the cold weather, which immediately raised serious concerns about their safety.
Reports say one of the toddlers was wearing only pajamas. The other child had even less protection from the cold and was allegedly wearing just a diaper and a T-shirt.
Dangerous temperatures increased the risk
The weather conditions that day made the situation even more alarming. Historical weather data shows that temperatures in Oklahoma City were extremely cold during that period.
According to Weather Underground records:
- The temperature dropped to about 27°F (around -3°C) during the late morning.
- It reached a high of about 51°F (around 10°C) later in the evening.
For small children, especially toddlers, such cold temperatures can quickly become dangerous if they are not wearing proper winter clothing.
Toddlers lose body heat much faster than adults. Being outside in near-freezing conditions without warm clothes can lead to serious health risks, including hypothermia or frostbite.
Police also found a dog near the children
While officers were checking the area, they also discovered a dog near the children. According to reports, police were able to identify the dog’s owners through that discovery.
Authorities later determined that the dog belonged to Christina Dickenson and Phillip Welch. After further investigation, officers also confirmed that the two adults were the parents of the toddlers.
This discovery led police to take action.
Parents arrested and charged with child neglect
After identifying the parents, officers arrested Christina Dickenson, 22, and Phillip Welch, 21.
Both were charged with one count of child neglect.
Child neglect generally refers to situations where parents or guardians fail to provide proper care, supervision, or protection for their children. This can include leaving young children alone in dangerous conditions or environments.
Authorities said the parents were taken into custody and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
Bail set at $50,000
According to jail records, the couple was booked into jail on Wednesday after the investigation. Each parent currently has a bond set at $50,000 cash or bail.
This means they must pay the required amount or secure a bail bond if they want to be released from custody before the court proceedings begin.
At the time of the report, the cases had not yet been officially listed in the Oklahoma County court system.
This usually means the formal court process is still in the early stages, and additional legal updates could follow.
Police seeking more details
Officials have not yet released many additional details about the incident. Media outlets contacted the Oklahoma City Police Department for more information, but no further comments were immediately available at the time the report was published.
It is still unclear how long the children were outside or what led to them being alone in the street.
Investigations like this often involve reviewing witness statements, checking home conditions, and ensuring the safety of the children involved.
Why cases like this are taken seriously
Child neglect cases are treated very seriously by law enforcement because young children depend completely on adults for their safety and care.
Toddlers, in particular, are extremely vulnerable. They cannot protect themselves from dangerous weather, traffic, or other risks.
Leaving children outside in cold temperatures without proper clothing can lead to severe medical complications. Because of these risks, authorities often act quickly when they receive welfare check calls involving children.
